"How long?" (Any Slave)

[Akree]

The light penetrated softly from the trees, landing on the forest floor, creating bright patches of yellowish light faintly tainted with soft green. The young male slave was curious as how such beauty could even be found somewhere in Sallin. Thaddeaus gray eyes scanned carefully the soft light as if waiting for a cloud to roll over the sun, cover its light and let the far away rumble on thunder take place, but it never came.

He took a deep breath and took a step closer towards the light, but some strange wind that apparently came from nowhere made him turn his head, his ears shot forward, trying to catch the faintest sound. He hadn't strayed that far from the Slave's Hold, in fact, if he glanced behind him now he could see the faint light from the clearing and hear the soft wary voices of the slaves.

he blinked in though, surely this wouldn't mean much to the cruel wolf's of Sallin, but he decided that it was better not to press his luck. With a final glance at the greenish light he quickly turned his paws to head back to the Slave's Hold.

He walked slowly, though he knew the faster he would get there the better, though he knew it would mean little to the wolves if he behaved himself or not, soon he would end up like the other, scarred, spirit broken and barely any hope. His mind was troubled with thoughts that mattered little, like if it would rain tomorrow or if it would remain sunny, but then the most pressing thought of all pushed itself onto the wolf-dog's mind, why wasn't he killed?

Another would shudder at the thought of thinking that maybe the Queen was plotting to have some terrible punishment bestowed upon him, but it was all dwindled by his own curiosity. Maybe she had simply forgotten, though he doubted it.

He forced himself onto the clearing and had to close his eyes at the sudden change of light, he preferred night, much darker, less worry of being seen. With silent footsteps he slowly headed to the other side of the clearing, to quickly find the shade of a tree. Squinting at the light. He was very light footed and of that he was glad, the only way someone would hear paw steps was if they were searching for them or very observant.

He found his spot on the shade of a tree and sighted inwardly as he caught sight of the oldest of slaves. Barely the will to move from place. He shuddered slightly under his fur, wondering how long it would take for that helplessness to take him with it to.

He thought of his pelt covered in scars, his eyes fading as if even the wind would make his very soul slip from his body, so weak that he wouldn't even want to move from place, his will broken. Thad closed his eyes, but he was young, had a quick mind and even quicker paws, most importantly a strong will, he hoped against hoped that he wouldn't soon find himself like those older ones.

-"How long?" he wondered softly to himself, his voice barely audible over the soft rustle of the trees, his gray eyes seemed to dull against the hopelessness that Sallin struck to even the bravest of souls.

[nightblood]

A cold shadow watched as the gray Slave moved under a tree to escape the sun. Had the young male gone two steps further, Blackavar probably wouldn't have been able to save him if he'd ran into a few Sallinians. Now that he was back with the others, the dark canine could rest easy and move on to the next task. However, something about this dog intrigued him. It may have been the total lack of scars, but none of the news ones had theirs yet. Finally, Blackavar saw it. It was the way he carried himself. He wasn't scared like all the others. Curious, the dark male stood up and lumbered over to him.

Squinting in the bright sunlight, Blackavar aimed his eyes at the shadows so he didn't draw even more light into them. It had been a hot day for being the middle of autumn, but thankfully the sun was passed its peak in the sky and it would soon be sunset. The hot day also confined most of the wolves to their dens, so the Slaves hadn't had much to do.

"I wouldn't let a wolf see you do that," he said as he came to a stop in the gray dog's shade. He sat down and leaned against the tree trunk. "What's your name, kid?"

[Akree]

Something troubled the wolf-dog more than he had though possible. only now did he realize how bright the sun was, it dazzled and scorched everything, he preferred misty or cloudy days, were the sun stood like a hallucinations, bringing absolutely no light, like the sun was only there for decoration. He shook his head lightly, carrying his gaze to a soft faint movement closing in on him. He twisted his head slightly only to see the form of Blackavar walking towards him.

He was puzzled, surely the male had no reason to speak with him, unless to scold him. He had never talked to the male more then when he spoke to multiple slaves, and only then he only listened. From what he guessed and faintly shaped, he was more like the slave's leader and that he was a terrible grump. He couldn't help but snort and he got even closer, a chat of behaving himself was the last thing he needed.

He sighted inwardly, knowing that for better or for worse, Blackavar in his own way tried his best to make sure all the slaves were well, because happy would be an exaggeration, and he doubted that would be possible with all the low spirits he sensed in all that slaves.

-"I wouldn't let a wolf see you do that,"

Thad didn't glace up, but twitched his ear to confirm that he had heard, he was to focused on his own though, trying to stray away from the slave's hold, think of his old pack, things that would allow him to keep himself the way he was.

-"What's your name, kid?"

This time he turned his head, catching the male's eyes and holding his gaze. He didn't think names mattered, but still knowing someone's name was the fastest way to summon them. He sighted.

-"Thadddeaus" he said fast, but low.

That was something he was used to talking so fast that no one barely understood and talking very low as if to prevent anyone from hearing. The primary reason was that he had been a warrior in his previous pack and when they patrolled the borders or hunted they kept their voice and talked quickly, so as not even the blades of grass heard them. He realized that this was the feeling Sallin sent though him, not afraid like a little coward, but wary that someone might see him, hear him, anything that, as he feared would remind the wolves of his existence and inevitably his death.

Then another realization slowly crept to him, he wasn't afraid to die, but if he did, he wouldn't go down without a fight, something from that though gave him more hopes that somehow he would make it out of this place.

Then he remembered Blackavar and the long pause and pressing silence that was left between them.

-"Why exactly do you mean by don't let a wolf see that?"

He was curious whether he mean his obvious defiance or the fact that he sneaked out for short periods of time almost every day?

[nightblood]

Blackavar strained to hear his words completely. It was as if the young mutt was hunting and didn't want his voice to be heard by the prey. As he thought about that, the dark dog thought it would be an excellent idea to have the whole pack of slaves speak like this so that their words were not carried. Some of the older canines would have a problem with it, perhaps. Their ears not being what they used to be, some even lucky to still have their ears.

"Why exactly do you mean by don't let a wolf see that?"

"I mean don't get caught outside the Hold if no one's escorting ya. If they catch you, they might want to punish everyone or they might make an example of ya and kill ya right there in front of us. The young ones don't need to see that."

Growling, Blackavar turned to see a few yearlings gathered at the far end of the Hold, licking each other's wounds. If their spirits weren't broken yet, they'd certainly break if they saw something like that. The scared male looked back to Thaddeaus.

"Why were you out there anyway? Catch a scent?"

[Akree]

He gazed slowly at the Hold, surely every canine here was holding on to the small hope than one day they would posses their freedom, how small that hope might be, it was just enough to keep them looking forward. He sighted, of all the places he could be, the wrong place at the wrong time.

-"I mean don't get caught outside the Hold if no one's escorting ya. If they catch you, they might want to punish everyone or they might make an example of ya and kill ya right there in front of us. The young ones don't need to see that."

-"Ah" was his only answer, he didn't feel like either questioning the obvious or seeing how far he could drag the male's temper.

That's what he had thought he meant, he was pretty sure his own life was at jeopardy, but was being selfish and hadn't thought of the effects of this. Next time, he thought to himself, I better make sure I know the consequences. He shook his head lightly. He needed to keep his head occupied with something else, if he kept like this he wouldn't get nowhere.

Then out the corner of his eye he caught yearling's licking their wounds. This brought a whole new different feeling, pity and anger. How could anyone do something like this? Then he took notice of himself, older than them, yet unscathed, not a single scar on his gray pelt. He sighted inwardly, but as always his eyes tried to betray no emotion, no matter the grief he felt any wolf who would see this would want to take advantage.

-"Why were you out there anyway? Catch a scent?"

He stood very still not moving a muscle, probably looking like some sculpture than a living creature. This was a question that caught him off guard and he wasn't one that would like to answer everything that he was asked, even for his own good.

-"Does it matter?" he pointed out gently and quickly, not moving an inch as he did, attend on some flutter of winds he heard some distance away. Probably a crow or raven, he would have enjoyed hunting at the moment, but he doubted he could. From where he was sitting he could tell the bird was a few feet away from the Slave Hold border and if he got caught.

-"I wonder..." he said low and quick, sounding more like a mutter. He hadn't intended for Blackavar to hear at all, something he had said to himself, to remind him he was still there. His thoughts have gone to another matter, what would happen to all this slaves if Sallin decided to go into war, they'd probably be either forced to fight or do tasks for the warriors.

He blinked and turned to look back at Blackavar, wondering what he was thinking at the moment, why he had come to speak "casually," not that it did matter, probably to scold him from creeping away...

[nightblood]

"Does it matter?"

"It does if it was something that could do harm or benefit the others," Blackavar sneered. Instead of lecturing the pup, he decided to lay down and conserve his strength. When you were a slave, it was best not to waste whatever energy you have on other slaves. "Anyway... Don't go out there again. Save your energy," he continued in a lower voice, "You never know when Damian might have another escape plan."

He had said the last part with a low, quick voice like Thaddeaus had used, but looked around to see if there were any unwanted ears listening in. One could never be too sure of how far the wind would carry one's voice. In Sallin, even the trees seemed to know of your secret treachery.

[Akree]

-"It does if it was something that could do harm or benefit the others,"

Thaddeaus rolled his eyes, but kept quiet. Of course he would think like that. He knew Blackavar meant well, but the older wolf acted like he had psychosis, fearing that someone was waiting to kill him around the corner...

-"Anyway... Don't go out there again. Save your energy,"

-Thad nodded "I understand" he said quietly, but slow this time, to caught up in his own thoughts to care if a wolf was behind him right now. He doubted, of course that anyone could get that close to him to pass his sensitive hearing.

-"You never know when Damian might have another escape plan."

He noticed he was speaking low and fast, so he was a good observant and quick to realize something. At least he was no blind, Thad was realizing why the slaves liked to think of him as the leader. He almost wanted to smile, maybe if everyone in the slave's Hold had a fast tongue, Sallin wolves wouldn't even know they were plotting from under their noses, but it might get them more suspicious. He wanted to chuckle, but suppressed it.

-"Damien..." he said quickly, low and thoughtful "I find it hard to believe a wolf would want to help a bunch of slaves escape" he almost spat, but kept his temper, showing no sign of what truly was in his mind "But then again, no pack like this can harbor all the hate of the world without having enemies, even between its own borders" He said in the similar low and quick voice, he doubted that anyone would understand a word, for all he knew Blackavar had to strain his ears to catch even the simplest of words.

[nightblood]

"Damien..." he said quickly, low and thoughtful "I find it hard to believe a wolf would want to help a bunch of slaves escape."

Blackavar growled at Thaddeaus's skepticism, though it was not misplaced, at least when speaking of the wolves in Sallin. No one could blame him after what he'd seen.

"But then again, no pack like this can harbor all the hate of the world without having enemies, even between its own borders."

"Damian has no memories of his old life," Blackavar explained with the same swiftness in his words, almost determined to beat the wolfdog at his own game and have him slip up. True, he had to focus exactly 50% of his brain on what he was saying and the other 50% keeping an ear out for wolves, but he was partly convinced that the other slaves would be listening for them as well, so he had little to worry about.

"Whatever he used to do gave him a quick mind and it seems that his kindness has been bred into him. I just hope he stays alive here long enough to help us."

[Akree]

Blackavar's growl didn't take Thad by surprise, simply a reassurance of what was he thinking, so he simply closed his eyes and smiled crookedly. Blackavar clearly trusted Damien, for whatever reason that may be, he better get used to the thought. Luckily he was not feeling like saying everything that came into his mind, Thad was not that talkative anyways.

-"Damian has no memories of his old life," said Blackavar quickly.

Thad turned to look at him, an eyebrow raised, he must have known this would bring question, but he didn't voice them, simply nodded. The male was trying to speak even more quieter and faster, trying to beat him it seemed, competitive, this was bad to see in a leader, if that's what he fancied himself. He gave a yawn to show that he wasn't interesting at whatever game he was trying to play.

Though clearly he would have enjoyed it, but not now. Everything has its time and place and right now it wasn't the best decision to just play at some silly charade to show who was best, Thad didn't think that he preferred a battle with perhaps the only slave that was keeping everyone else in order. Surely Blackavar knew that he had to keep himself alive or he doubted the rest of the slaves could bare living, with no hope left.

-"Whatever he used to do gave him a quick mind and it seems that his kindness has been bred into him. I just hope he stays alive here long enough to help us."

-"I see" said Thad, quick, slow, but still trying to make it understandable, not playing at the same game as Blackavar "Then he has that advantage then, I doubt that the Queen will be completely ignorant about this" he spat out the word "Queen", but kept his voice level "And I doubt he could keep stealth much longer, his competing between pack duties and his own fight for us, he has to be careful and anyone can make a mistake"

[nightblood]

Blackavar frowned at the young male's yawn. He caught the message more clearly than he heard his words. If the other slaves fancied him as a leader, it was probably best not to compete with others while in this situation. Doing so would only cause more stress, game or not, and the slaves didn't need any more trouble.

Submitting to this fact, the dark dog slumped over onto his side and gave a loud huff. He couldn't wait to get out of this rat hole so he could act normal again.

"Then he has that advantage then, I doubt that the Queen will be completely ignorant about this."

Blackavar smiled at Thaddeaus's attitude toward NightShade. At least he understood who was to blame for the mess they were in.

"And I doubt he could keep stealth much longer, his competing between pack duties and his own fight for us, he has to be careful and anyone can make a mistake"

"It's entirely possible, though unlikely, that there'd be someone else in the pack who might feel the same way he does," Blackavar pointed out, a bit slower than he had spoken before, "And at any rate, I'd like to be there when that bitch gets what's coming to her. Maybe I could get her head as a souvenir."

[Akree]

He was surprised by Blackavar's annoyance at his yawn, he wanted to chuckle, clearly the male what it would mean to the rest, though he obviously wasn't happy about it. If it wasn't for the situation they were in, he would have probably laughed. He heard a huff come from Blackavar's throat, clearly wanting to have the freedom to do something else. At least, now he knew under all those scars and the big grump he was, there was a sense of humor.

-"It's entirely possible, though unlikely, that there'd be someone else in the pack who might feel the same way he does,"[/color he pointed out.

-He nodded "Still" he said simply, not wanting to waste more words than necessary, anyone who had the brain functional could still try and make out a few words of the conversation.

-"And at any rate, I'd like to be there when that bitch gets what's coming to her. Maybe I could get her head as a souvenir."

-"You shouldn't be arrogant Blackavar, that witch doesn't hold her rank for doing nothing" he pointed out, but he chuckled darkly as he did, wishing the same himself.

He turned his head sharply as he heard a sound from behind him, instantly alert, but relaxing as he new it was to small to be a wolf, probably a rat or squirrel.. He closed his eyes to concentrate more on the sound, it didn't seem as wary and tense as a squirrel, its paw steps would have been a bit more frantic, it was probably a a very arrogant rat. He turned to face Blackavar, actually at ease with the scared male.

-"At any rate, they say that everything one those, good or bad will inevitably turn back on you" he said with a hint of sarcasm on his low quick voice.

He turned to look at the rest of the slaves, their bodies scared and their expressions weak. He wanted to help somehow, but there was little chance to act, much less help anyone. Then he remembered as one of the slaves had shot him a dark look the first days he had been here and he knew why, he almost looked like a pure blooded wolf, only that he was at the slave's hold was proof that he wasn't purely wolf, the dog blood that ran through his veins was barely noticeable. He sighted, but quickly shook the thought away, regaining his serious expression.

[nightblood]

"You shouldn't be arrogant Blackavar, that witch doesn't hold her rank for doing nothing."

Blackavar yawned at the sound when Thaddeaus turned and tensed. He'd tracked the rat here from his previous resting spot. He hoped it'd attack him so he'd have something to eat.

"At any rate, they say that everything one those, good or bad will inevitably turn back on you."

"That's what I was getting at," Blackavar said, glancing up at him, "Karma. With all the shit she's been doing, it's bound to come soon."

[Akree]

Thaddeaus glanced to look behind him, wanting to get his jaws around that rat, but kept his still sculpture like stance next to Blackavar, he didn't want to get caught, though every nerve in his body wanted to shake that rat in his jaws. He simply sighted, trying to keep calm.

-"That's what I was getting at," continued Blackavar "Karma. With all the shit she's been doing, it's bound to come soon."

-"Ugh, I want so badly to stretch my legs" he said quietly and faster that he ever though possible, his intention was not that anyone heard after all.

Thad wanted to hunt, he missed hunting most of all than he thought possible, not because of the hunger though he felt, that to was a good reason. But he missed the exercises, he missed the thrill of the hunt, the wind blowing at his face. He shook his head and sighted, now he understood part of the reason why everyone looked like this.

-"Everyone here seems to trust you..." he said after a long time, still quick and slow so as no one could hear him, the last thing he wanted was to get Blackavar in more trouble than he was color=lightBlue]"It must put a lot of pressure on your shoulders..."[/color] he said thoughtfully, though to whose words they were destined for even escaped his comprehension. He sighted.

[nightblood]

Blackavar didn't catch the first thing Thanddeaus said, though his tone sounded as though it wasn't very important that he didn't hear. It sounded more like he was talking to himself. Oh well.

"Everyone here seems to trust you... It must put a lot of pressure on your shoulders..."

"Bah," he retorted, rather loudly. He caught himself a bit and looked around before rolling onto the back of his shoulders. It wasn't a submissive gesture. He kept his ears forward and his hind quarters were planted on one hip so his stomach was not fully exposed. "NightShade gave me a chance to get away if I fought on of her wolves. I killed him, but they took me anyway. One less wolf is the only reason these guys see me as something of a leader. If they still see me like that when we get out of here, I'll consider setting up a territory with them.

[Akree]

-"Bah," said Blackavar rather loudly.

This made Thad's ears twitch and turn his head to look at the scared male, he seemed worn and tired. He almost chuckled when he rolled onto the back of his shoulders, almost exposing his stomach, almost, but not quiet, clearly showing he was not submissive or not trusting him enough for that kind of gesture. He smiled crookedly, more to himself.

-"Nightshade gave me a chance to get away if I fought on of her wolves. I killed him, but they took me anyway. One less wolf is the only reason these guys see me as something of a leader. If they still see me like that when we get out of here, I'll consider setting up a territory with them.

-"Ah" he said, followed by a chuckle "They must think that somehow that experience will allow them the chance they so desire at freedom" he said with a nod and another chuckle, trying to imagine Blakcavar in a halo of light taking down wolves of Sallin. He didn't mean it in disrespect, but it was still funny "I wonder why, so far, I have been spared the scars." he said sounding more surprised than concerned.

His ears twitched, feeling the sun ahead getting lower, in a few hours it would be sunset, the end of another day. Somehow the count of the passing days put Thaddeaus in a nervous and wary mood. Maybe because which each day that passed he felt that the sooner he would find himself like the rest of the slaves.

He sighted and slumped down, lying down on his chest, positioning his paws in front of him and his legs at his sides, almost tense, like at any minute he would need to stand again. He could still hear the rat nearby and sighted, if it wouldn't go away he would gladly have it for dinner. He snorted.